SR0789 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0789 LRB095 21804 KXB 52021 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Delia "Dede" Neal (nee Cacia) of Morris, who passed away on June 24, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Dede was born on August 1, 1959 in Joliet; her parents are Tom and Mary Cacia of Joliet; Dede graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Her siblings are John (Elizabeth) Cacia, Elizabeth Cacia, and Evangeline Cacia, who passed away in 1984; Dede married David Neal on November 15, 1985 in Joliet and they have two children, Michael David Neal and Erica Rose Neal; they all survive her and will miss her; in addition to her immediate family and parents, Dede is survived by her sister, Elizabeth; her brother, John; his wife Elizabeth; and their children, Nicole and Louis; her friend and Oncologist, Dr. Janet Wolter; Dede is also survived by hundreds of individuals whose lives were impacted by this selfless, loyal and caring, living definition of the words "Trusted Friend"; and

WHEREAS, After attending Joliet Junior College, Dede pursued a career in court reporting; she graduated from the Rydman School in Joliet and opened Tri-County Court Reporters in Morris, which she operated from 1982 to 1985; she also worked for Burger King in Joliet, the Will County State's Attorney, Boodler's Place Restaurant in Coal City, and Commonwealth Edison in Braidwood, LaSalle, and Oak Brook; she then opened Dede's Dance and Treasures in Morris, providing dance wear for little girls, big girls, and their mommies; she operated this business for about four years until it was destroyed by a fire; and

WHEREAS, Dede also enjoyed working within her community, organizing the first ever Jail and Bail for the Grundy County Chapter of the American Cancer Society and setting a State record for fundraising; she managed David Neal's campaigns for Grundy County State's Attorney; she was a volunteer, serving as a classroom helper, Cub Scout helper, cheerleader helper, and a Morris High School pom mom; and

WHEREAS, At the time of her passing, Dede was in the process of forming the "Dede Neal Breast Cancer Research Fund"; Dede was preceded in death by her sister, Angie; her grandparents, Louis and Evangeline Staver and Thomas and Delia Cacia; her aunt, Catherine Staver; and her mother-in-law, Rosemary Neal; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Delia "Dede" Neal; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Delia "Dede" Neal as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.